AFC Mansfield leave it late to beat Hull United

Peter Craggs

AFC Mansfield defeated relegated Hull United in an ‘away fixture’ played at home.

Hull United are playing all home games away following on-going ground issues and have been informed they are to be relegated at the end of the season.

To their credit Hull Utd turned up with a full squad and played their part in an entertaining game of football, which was not decided until the final eight minutes.

AFC Mansfield made all the early running and a Luke Jeffs free kick was saved by keeper Dave Hunter after just three minutes.

The Bulls continued to press and were rewarded with a goal after 11 minutes through Phil Buxton.

It should have been two moments later when Jimmy Ghaichem’s pass found Mitchell only for the striker to see his shot hit the post.

A Grant Allott header was hooked off the line midway through the half and Buxton’s follow up cleared the bar by inches.

Hunter got down well to save from Mitchell on the half hour mark.

Then came a rare chance for Hull on 32 minutes, with Gary Bradshaw heading wide from a Martin Foster cross.

It looked as if The Bulls would go in at half-time with a goal advantage, but Nicky McNamara popped up on the far post to head home a free-kick to bring the ‘home’ side level.

Mitchell nearly restored the lead on the stroke of half-time but headed wide of the goal.

The Bulls continued to pressurise the Hull goal and several corners and crosses were dealt with by a resolute Hull defence.

Jake Park thought he had scored on 63 minutes only to see Hunter turn his effort around the post.

Both Mitchell and Williams had efforts that cleared the bar before at the other end Bradshaw missed a five yard effort after a neat turn in the box.

More goalmouth scrambles with Rick and Allott having shot blocked around the 70 minute mark. Hull captain McNamara then headed wide on 75 minutes.

For all their huffing and puffing it looked increasingly that AFC would have to settle for a point, but on 82 minutes Hull gave away a needless free-kick about 22 yards out and in the middle of the pitch.

This was prime Ryan Williams territory and he stepped up and curled a superb free kick around the wall and off the underside of the bar despite the best efforts of keeper Dave Hunter.

The icing on the cake came with just a minute left when Dean Rick collected a Jake Park through ball down the right flank.

The striker then turned inside held off another challenge and rifled his shot into the far corner to complete the scoring.